Things Are Afoot

I haven't done a 'Weekend Roundup' for a while, but this weekend (despite the cold and the wet) there was not only a healthy abundance of people, but 5 people returning for their third and final weekend walk with me ... thus completing the much revered TRILOGY.

Maria & Emma came back for their final instalment, but not to be outdone ... the remainder of their entourage, Connor, Steve & Rosalia were completing their second walk (good skills). The rest of the group was made up of first timers; Bryan and his family from the States, living in London for a few years and Michelle and Amanda visiting from New York. They had heard about my walks from their colleague, Mary, who came on a walk years ago, so although it sounds like a bit of a marketing cliche, good old 'word of mouth' really does work. They are pictured above, rather wet and bedraggled at the end of the walk outside St Paul's cathedral.

For the afternoon walk that takes us over to Bankside & Borough on the south side of the river, Gareth & Laura were back to complete THE TRILOGY as was Diarmuid who brought with him Kathryn (with a 'Y'). The group was completed by Gary & Jo from Bristol. Again, despite the not particularly great weather, they were a lovely group to hang out with and lovely to see some familiar faces again. You can see them above, in the busy, bustling Borough Market.

Evidently, a number of people thought that a great way to spend Valentine's Day would be to wander around East London with me. I think they all pretty much regretted this decision once we got started, and the group became diminished as we went. The main factor cited being the cold. I hadn't noticed it was that cold, but I was wearing thermal underwear. As someone once said ... "There's no such thing as bad weather, but bad clothes". The rest battled on and I took their photo, standing next to a painting by Australian street artist Jimmy C. One of his paintings became the focus of much media attention last month when David Bowie died, as Jimmy C had done a portrait of the singer in Brixton a few years ago. If you happened to see the news during that period, you will have undoubtedly seen it.

​Thanks to everyone who braved the weather this weekend to join me on my regular weekend guided walks around London.